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Family-Friendly

Historic

Sensational Views

Remote location

Hills & Mountains

Walking

Family-Friendly

Great outdoors hostel, right at the base of Snowdon itself.

If you want to stay near Snowdon, there's no better place than the local YHA hostel, which nestles under the fabled mountain's impressive heights. It's a long-running concern, and its unique position has lent it an impressive mountaineering history – no less than George Mallory stayed here in the 1920s when training for his ultimately unsuccessful assault on Everest.

Now newly renovated, it's one of the jewels in the YHA's crown and one of the best hostels for walkers there is – with an array of facilities that make returning from a hard day on the mountain a pleasure. There are 27 rooms, divided between multi-bedded dormitory affairs and private rooms, the majority of which have their own en-suite bathroom facilities. There's a decent café and bar ('Mallory's', natch), an excellent self-catering kitchen, and some snug-as-a-bug-in-a-rug social areas where you can rest your weary bones. No phone signal mind, but you probably don't care much about that if you're the kind of person who has fetched up here.

But the real bonus is that you can walk out of the hostel and right up Snowdon itself, with a choice of two walking routes up the mountain, plus tons of other hiking opportunities on the doorstep. Climbers are similarly well-served, and if you want to try your hand at this the National Mountain Centre at Plas-y-Brenin is not far away.

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The Owner Says

If it's dramatic, breath-taking views of mountainous landscapes you're after then YHA Snowdon Pen y Pass is the location for you. Situated at the foot of the magnificent Mount Snowdon, over 1,000ft above sea level, this Youth Hostel is the perfect choice for climbing holidays and budding mountaineers.

Having recently undergone a restoration project, this much loved and famed location is now a state-of-the-art accommodation base in the heart of Snowdonia.

Added to this is the licensed bar and restaurant where you can re-fuel with a delicious meal and a refreshing drink after a day exploring on the mountains; and the cosy snug social areas where you can relax and share stories with your fellow travellers.

The hostel also pays tribute to its famous past – George Mallory stayed here while using Snowdon as a training ground for his ill-fated Everest expedition. The bar is named Mallory's after him and information about the surrounding mountains and Mallory himself can be seen throughout the building.

Reviews

Sleeps

72 beds, with a selection of dorm beds, private rooms and family rooms available.

How much?

Beds from £15 per person per night, private rooms from £35, family rooms from £30.

Getting There

From the A55 coast road follow signs for Llanberis and the A4086 to YHA Snowdon Pen-Y-Pass. From the A5 turn onto A4086 at Capel Curig. Turn right at Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel. YHA Snowdon Pen-y-Pass is on the right.